Cooking Chicken Breasts: Understanding Done Temperature

Cooking chicken breasts is an essential skill that many home cooks struggle to perfect, often ending up with chicken that is either overcooked and dry or undercooked and unsafe. Knowing the correct temperature to take chicken breasts out of the oven is key to ensuring that the inside is cooked through and the outside is perfectly golden and delicious.

What Temperature is Chicken Breast Done?

The USDA advises cooking chicken breasts until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F and have a lightly golden, cooked-through color. As a general guide, chicken breasts usually take about 20 minutes in the oven, as long as they are properly prepared. Taking the temperature with a digital thermometer will give the most accurate reading.

How to Prepare Delicious, Juicy Chicken Breasts

For best results, start with preparing your chicken breasts before placing them in the oven. No matter the cooking method, pat each chicken breast dry with a paper towel before seasoning it with salt and pepper and any other herbs or spices you want. This helps the chicken cook up nice and crispy on the outside. With that done, you’re ready to cook the chicken.

For oven-baked chicken breasts, preheat the oven to 375°F and spray the baking sheet or pan with a non-stick cooking spray or lightly coat with olive oil. Place the chicken on the dish and bake for 20-25 minutes. If you’re using a digital thermometer to gauge the temperature, it’s a good idea to check the temperature after 17 minutes.

Conclusion

Knowing the exact temperature to cook chicken breasts is essential to get the most delicious and juicy results. With a internal temperature of 165°F and a flavorfully seasoned exterior, perfectly cooked chicken can easily be achieved. Following these guidelines, together with a digital thermometer, you’ll be able to cook chicken breasts perfectly every time.